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(No Model.)

T. B. GOMINS, Jr. Device for Compressing Corks.

Patented July'13, 1880.

rim. 2 1 W m y N. PETERS. FlibTO-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHKNBTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OF CE.

THOMAS B. OOMINS, JR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICEOFOR COMPRESSING COR'KS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 229,960, dated. July13, 1880.

Application filed June 7, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. OOMINS, Jr., of the city, county, andState of New York, have invented a new and Improved Device for Compressing Corks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,making part of this specification.

This invention is in the nature of an improved device for compressingcorks; and the invention consists in a device for compressing corksconstructed with two pivoted compressing-jaws to work simultaneously,and with indentations to receive the cork, in combination with a springto restore the jaws to their normal position, whereby the cork iscompressed by its introduction between the jaws or compressors andpressure applied to it.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan or topview of my device; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of same; Fig. 3, aside view of a modification, and Fig. 4E under-side view of the device,with spring and bottom of hollow base removed.

Similar letters of reference indicatelike parts in the several figures.

In compressing the ends of corks to render them soft and elastic forintroduction into vials and bottles it is generally necessary to useboth hands for that purpose, compelling the druggist or other person toset aside the bottle for which the cork is intended until a cork isfitted to it. To do this, as in the cases of small and filled vials,which are unsteady when standing upright, is'inconvenient, and at timesresults in loss. By my device, however, the corks may be effectuallycompressed without the necessity of removing the bottle from the hand,since the operation is performed with one hand only.

To this end 1 construct my device with two compressing-jaws, A A. Thesecompressors are formed from any suitable material, and they are pivotedat their rear ends to a hollow base, B. The front edges of thesecompressors have formed in them recesses a to correspond with thedifferent-sized corks the device is to be used for, the recess in one(No model.)

compressor being opposite the recess in the other. The under side ofeach of the compressors has cast upon it lugs 11, which lugs interlockand lap over the lower edges of the respective compressors, formingsubstantially a toggle-joint, connecting the compressors at their undersides, and centrally placed and fixed to the under side of thecompressors is a spiral spring, 0.

Now, my compressing device being constructed substantially as described,it is operated by taking the cork to be compressedin the right hand,inserting itbetween the recesses a, when by pressing the cork downwardthe compressors A A will be forced simultaneously against the surface ofthe cork, squeezing it, and the cork in this way, being pressed downwardtwo or three times and being turned around slightly within the recesses,so as to present different parts of its surface to the greatest amountof pressure, will be found to be reduced in diameter at its smaller end,softened and rendered elastic, and adapted to the bottle for which it isdesigned.

It will be observed that this entire operation is performed by one hand,while the other hand may be otherwise engaged.

If desired to exert still greater force for the purpose of compressingthe cork, a lever, C, may be secured to one of the compressors, againstwhich the palm of the hand may bear, while the fingers at the same timeare pressing the cork downward between the recesses, as beforedescribed. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) As soon as the pressure on the corkswithin the recesses is relieved the spring 0 restores the compressors totheir normal position, ready for another operation.

The simultaneous action'of both compressors is effected by the lugs b,which interlock and act as levers, so that pressure applied to onecompressor is conveyed to the other in the nature of a toggle-joint.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A device for compressing corks, provided with two separately-pivotedcompressing-jaws constructed to simultaneously compress the ends ofcorks by downward pressure applied I00 inserted corks, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a device for compressing corks, two

compressing-jaws, in combination with interlocking; lugs, wherebypressure applied to one jaw maybe imparted to the other, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

4. In a device for compressing corks, two compressing-jaws, incombination with interlocking lugs and a restoring-spring, whereby thejaws may be restored to their normal position, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

THOS. B. OOMINS, JR. Witnesses:

H. L. WATTENBERG, G. M. PLYMPTON.

